Tag: Women’s Refuge

The Awards work as an independent evaluation process capturing activity that is acknowledged by communities as being great CSR initiatives, rather than business promotions.

The BACS Good Business Egg Awards

The BACS Good Business Egg (GBE) Awards take businesses nominated by community organisations, and identifies who is fulfilling expectations on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and impacting New Zealand society in a positive way.

The Awards work as an independent evaluation process capturing activity that is acknowledged by communities as being great CSR initiatives, rather than business promotions. This process identifies what is considered successful by community standards of CSR in New Zealand, providing real, grassroots commentary on the complex nature of CSR.

Businesses are categorised into three areas: Education and Skills; Community Empowerment; and Health and Wellbeing.

Dr Ang Jury of the Women’s Refuge assisted us at the BACS Good Business Egg Awards this year as presenter. Her speech below tells of what and how the Refuge works.

Each year Women’s Refuge provides shelter and support to tens of thousands of women and children. We do this through a national network of refuges located from Kaitaia to Invercargill and most points between. Our paid staff consists of around 275 dedicated and skilled women, supported by roughly the same number of hardworking volunteer workers.

Many people believe that our work revolves around answering middle of the night crisis calls and providing victims and their kids somewhere safe to sleep at night – and yes, this is a part of what we do – but only a part. More often, we are sitting alongside them in hospital waiting rooms, lawyer’s offices and a multitude of other random offices and places. Advocating on their behalf to ensure their rights are protected and they’re receiving the support and services they and their kids are entitled to. Post-crisis we’re delivering education and support programmes, aiming to arm them with the necessary tools to build safe futures. Read more

Women’s Refuge is the most significant domestic violence organisation in New Zealand.

We strive to help prevent and stop domestic violence by providing education programmes and support services, information and safe housing to women, young people and children experiencing abuse and advice to their concerned friends and family members.

We offer advice and make submissions to government, and collaborate with other agencies and organisations, and commission research.

We are a women’s organisation for women and their children, here to help prevent and stop family violence in New Zealand. Read more

For some, Christmas is the most joyful time of the entire year – but for approximately 2,000 New Zealand women and children – it is far from that.

Heather Henare, Chief Executive of Women’s Refuge says: “The festive season provides a variety of challenges for violent or potentially violent households. Money stresses, families spending more time together and alcohol can all contribute to a cocktail of violence and unhappiness.”

A partnership with The Warehouse called ‘Elves on the Shelves’ hopes Kiwis will donate as many Christmas gifts as possible to these families to help bring Christmas cheer during the festive season.

From 1st to 20th December, participating The Warehouse stores throughout the country will collect gifts which customers leave under Christmas trees.

Paul Walsh, The Warehouse Executive General Manager of Community and Environment, says: “The Warehouse stores will be welcoming all gifts and we are more than happy to collect any gifts from members of the public – no matter where they are purchased.” Read more